Sunday, March 04, 2007

March

It is four days into March...in like a lion, out like a lamb. It is currently cloudy and 27 degrees. Snowmobile trails are in good condition. Some corners are a little icy, the trails closer to towns are getting a little worn from high traffic. Take advantage of the snow but be careful!

March Facts

*The biggest known event in March is St. Patrick's Day on March 17. Some don't know that it is originally a feast day that annually celebrates Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick. Although it is not an "official" holiday in the US, it is widely celebrated. The Chicago River is dyed green every year at this time in celebration.

*March begins on the same day of the week as February, excepting leap years, and as November every year.

*According to the Georgian calendar, March is the third month of the year. According to the early Roman calendar, it was the first month and was called Martius. The ancient Romans later made January 1 the beginning of the year, and March became the third month on the calendar. March has always had 31 days. Its name honors Mars, the Roman God of war.

*There are many superstitions about March. We often hear that "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." This means that the first day of March is often stormy, and the last day is mild and warm. Another saying is, "April borrowed from March three days, and they were ill." This refers to the first three days of April, which are generally rough and blustery like March. A third saying calls the first three days of March "blind days" because they are "unlucky." If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests.